THE MAVERICK OF WICHITA FALLS, INC.

“Corralling Friends for Wichita Falls,TIMELESS TASTEFUL TRADITION”

            The concept that has evolved into the today Mavericks reportedly began following World War II.  It has been reported, however, that a “Chuck Wagon Gang,” actually existed prior to WWII, but became inactive during the war years and for several years thereafter.

          In the mid-to-late 1950s, the “Booster Club of Wichita Falls,” with Bill Hale serving as President, was formed to recognize various Wichita Falls businesses based on their contributions made to the city and area.

          Shortly after, the name was changed to the Wichita Falls Booster Club, with Bill Hale again serving as President, and H.K. Dudley as Secretary-Treasurer.  Members were accredited and recognized for their time, interest, and energy devoted to the strengthening of the City of Wichita Falls by boosting, publicizing effort, and concerted action.

Jack Hammond, a current Maverick, was certified as an accredited member of the Wichita Falls Booster Club on October 20, 1961. Hammond recalls one of the original Booster Club functions was held at the Cen-Tim Ranch, located near Wichita Falls, to recognize John Tower being elected to the U.S. Senate.

          During the earlier years of the Wichita Falls Booster Club, there were only one hundred regular members, with the Senior Active Membership, (SAM) category being recommended and approved a few years later.

          The Wichita Falls Booster Club originally utilized a ranch style “Chuck Wagon” for their cooking functions which was hauled to various locations on a trailer, with the actual cooking being done over open fires using pots and grills. This method of operation generally became cumbersome to the organization, and the wagon was dangerous to transport while loaded on the trailer, according to club members active at the time.

It has been conceded that Bill Hale and Jack Hammond, along with other interested members, designated the P-2 restaurant their design headquarters. Over a period of time, using three to four cases of napkins and a truck load of beer, the members designed a cooker which would be more functional and easier to transport to various locations.  The cooker, which is still in use today, was constructed at Lone Star Tool Co. under the supervision of Hammond and Hale.  Differences of opinion were experienced as the project continued, but as completion neared, there seemed to be agreement that the design and construction had turned out very satisfactory and the new equipment could be utilized by the organization in their community boosting efforts.

          A review of 1962 board meeting minutes, with Bob Cowden serving as President, and Julian McFall as first Vice President, indicates that one agenda item and discussion was to change the club name. One suggestion was, “The Country Gentlemen.”  Again in 1962, with Bill serving as President, board minutes indicated a discussion was held recommending changing the name of the club.

          Due to confusion with other booster clubs, the name of the organization was changed to, “The Mavericks,” during the early 1960s.  A subsidiary of The Maverick Club was referred to as the Chuck Wagon Gang, an organization chartered some 30-40 years prior to 1965, which served the same purpose in days past as The Mavericks Club does now.  Old Chuck Wagon members who are honorary members of the present Maverick Club (1965) are Harley Goble, Claud Vaughn, Henry Grace, J.P. Baldwin, Charles Featherston, and Paul Cameron.

          Hal Yeager Jr.’s Wagon Boss letter of 1965 referred to the organization as “Maverick Club Chuck Wagon Gang”.

          In the early 1970s, the board again elected to change the name of the organization and it became known as, “The Mavericks of Wichita Falls, Inc.,” and was incorporated under the Texas Non-Profit Corporation Act in December, 1972.  Articles of Incorporation were adopted which basically established the period of duration to be perpetual; to promote the City of Wichita Falls; to promote the continuance of outdoor “Chuck Wagon” style cooking; and to honor and aid persons and organizations which have been or will be beneficial to the City of Wichita Falls.

          The first beer truck and equipment vehicle was a used van. It was donated by Weldon Reichert, (Schlitz beer distributor in Wichita Falls at the time) and was utilized until the Mavericks purchased their first new beer truck. This truck was a 1971 Chevrolet Panel Van and was utilized until the current beer truck was purchased in 1991. This truck was a 1990 Model Chevrolet truck which was customized to meet the needs of The Mavericks.

          During the early years of the organization, a slate of officers and directors were elected each year.  It was reported that Hal Yeager Jr. initiated the “Wagon Boss letter,” during a term he served as a Wagon boss, “so The Mavericks would have a general idea as to what the requirements would be for each function….”

          The organization continues to maintain a sixteen member board of directors. These are elected from the regular membership, with each board member serving a four year term; therefore electing four board members each year.  From the Board, a President, First Vice President, Second Vice President & Wagon Boss, Third Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer are elected each year.

          There are currently 99 regular members, 39 senior active members and four honorary members.

          To give an idea to the continuing changes in the “regular membership” category, of those fifty-one, forty-three continue to be carried on our roster of regular members in 1995.

Compiled and Prepared

By Dean Swinney

JACK “BUCKET” HAMMOND

1920-1997

“ODE TOJACK HAMMOND”

LET’S TALK ABOUT OUR FRIEND JACK

HE’S NO. 1 MAVERICK FROM WAY, WAY BACK

HE WON’T TAKE TIME TO MUSE

BECAUSE HE HAS THAT AWFUL SHORT FUSE

AND HE SURE WON’T GIVE YOU ANY SLACK.

JACK ALWAYS WORE THAT GOOFY HAIR-DO

REALLY LOOKS LIKE HELL I’M TELLIN YOU

HE IS SORT OF FUNNY THAT WAY

AND MOST OF HIS FRIENDS WILL SAY

HELL FLAT-TOPS ARE WHAT ALL AGGIES GREW.

ONCE JACK ASKED FOR SIZE 52-28 LEVIS TO TRY ON

BUT THE MAN HAD KNOWN JACK VERY, VERY LONG

SAYS WE WANT TO SELL YOU WHATEVER IT TAKES

BUT WITHTHAT SIZE YOU’LL BE IN PITIFUL SHAPE

‘CAUSE I KNOW YOUR DAMN LEGS AIN’T THAT LONG.

JACK DOESN’T CARE FOR ARKANSAS HOGS

AND HE POSSIBLY DOESN’T LIKE THE TCU FROGS

YOU CAN PUT HIM ANYWHERE IN THE STATE

WITH JUST ABOUT ANYTHING FOR A MATE

BUT HE CAN’T GET ALONG WITH ALL POLICE DOGS.

JACK COOKED MAVERICKS BEANS FOR A TIME

AS HE DID WITHOUT EVER A WHINE

AND HE WOULD NEVER BLUFF

ABOUT ADDING HOT STUFF

UNTIL THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN REFUSED TO DINE.